What a week! Congratulations — You made it to Day Five! How has this made you feel? Only one more day and our lives can return to normal. But for so many, normal is far worse than anything we've experienced this week. Hopefully this challenge opened your eyes to see the daily struggles that more than a billion people face every single day. You can help alleviate some of this suffering by bringing packets of vegetable seeds to worship this weekend. Did you know that one packet of seeds will save a child's life for 6 months! Over 18,000 children die of starvation each day. It's very rare to be able to say you saved a life. Bring those seeds in and make it happen! We'll also receive canned food items to support local flood victims.

I hear the local businesses have seen a spike in rice, beans, seeds, and canned food sales this week.

Scripture
Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice
 and untie the cords of the yoke,
 to set the oppressed free
 and break every yoke? 
Is it not to share your food with the hungry
 and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
when you see the naked, to clothe them,
 and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? (Isaiah 58: 6–7)

Reflection
Although there are hundreds of needs all around us, what is God calling you to do to make a difference in your community?

Pray
Pray for our Christian churches around the globe that are in the trenches serving their communities daily. These churches are addressing the needs of their communities holistically (spiritually, physically, and emotionally) and bringing hope. When local churches get it right, they are the hope of the world. There is no plan B.

One more day to go! Are you still hanging with it? Have you been tempted? Don't feel bad if you've "cheated." The main purpose of this challenge has been to understand how difficult it is to live like over half the world. For me, this challenge has made me realize how much my life revolves around food. I'm determined to try and shift that focus.

Today let's think about those who are living in poverty around the world. When people are struggling against poverty - a safe shelter, a warm bed, and a pillow for their heads isn’t something to take for granted. Recognize that 1.6 billion people in the world live in substandard housing and 100 million are homeless. A few years ago my brother and I visited Bolivia on an agricultural trip. It was unreal to see families sleeping on turn rows in fields. Here in America, 1 out of 6 Americans deal with this. When we lay down tonight (hungry and cranky) in our beds, let's think about those who sleep on dirt floors every night - without shelter, without a bed, without a pillow, without an iPhone, and without a tv to put them to sleep.

Scripture
My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest. (Isaiah 32:18)

Reflection
What insecure places do you have in your life? How can you turn those over to God, asking for His peace and security?

Pray
Pray for all the children in the world who do not have adequate housing and are forced to live in shacks that are unsafe and lack warm comfortable beds and protection during the night.

By Brad Aycock
Show-Me TImes Reader Submitted

5-DAY CHALLENGE - DAY 3

You're halfway there in your 5-Day Challenge! Isn't it exciting to look forward to another bowl of rice and beans and more tap water? Not sure how you're doing, but I've had headaches and have been a bit irritable. As you begin Day 3, let's be aware that one out of every eight people in the world lacks access to clean water - that's over one billion people. Children in many developing countries have to walk many miles to fill jugs with drinking water, often from disease-ridden sources. Today as we walk across the room to fill our cup with tap water, let's remember those children.

REMINDER:


Tonight at 6:30, we'll gather in the chapel for great music and prayer for our community, region, and world. Please come as you are and join us. If you'd like to come early, we'll be serving rice, beans, and broccoli in the Fellowship Hall beginning at 5:30 (drop-in).

Scripture



 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. (Matthew 25:35–36)

Reflection



 Take a moment to think of someone you know who seems to be carrying more than their share of a heavy burden. How can you make a difference in their life?

Pray



 Pray for all the children around the world who are trapped in the cycle of poverty and are struggling simply to survive.

By Brad Aycock
Show-Me TImes Reader Submitted

5-DAY CHALLENGE - DAY 2

Good morning. You made it through Day 1! Yesterday, when you thought about your favorite foods or coffee drinks (or caffeine), hopefully you prayed a simple prayer for those who have no options when it comes to what they will consume. 

As you start Day Two, be mindful of the fact that every year, 15 million children die of hunger (18,000 each day). For parents, this is inconceivable and unacceptable.

Scripture


Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you. (James 1:27 NLT)

Reflection



What in your life feels like rules and regulations that are stripped of God’s love and compassion for others? How can you extend God’s love and compassion as you reach out and care for someone in need?

Pray



Pray for the mothers around the world who work hard to provide loving homes for their children and the children they have taken in due to the loss of their parents’ lives to HIV/AIDS.

By Brad Aycock
Show-Me TImes Reader Submitted

With a spirit of passion, Brad Aycock is working with the membership at the First United Methodist Church of Sikeston as well as other friends of the Faith to join in Hope Epidemic.

This part of THE CHALLENGE is to assist Christians "For Five Days, Eat As Half The World's Population Eats - On Less Than $2 Per Day". Now that is certainly a challenge.

Each day this week, First United Methodist members and ShowMe Times readers are receiving a note of encouragement regarding the Hope Challenge. As this is a great challenge to broaden both your faith and understanding of simply how blessed we are in America, the SMT staff would like to share this with our readers.

THE FIVE-DAY CHALLENGE - DAY 1

Congratulations on your commitment to participate in this year's 5-Day Challenge.

For the next five days, we will stand together and eat as half the world’s population eats. We will drink only tap water. On day 3 (Wednesday), we'll gather for prayer and praise in the Chapel at First United Methodist Church in Sikeston at 6:30 p.m. This weekend we'll collect seeds and canned food.

This isn’t even close to the daily challenges facing our brothers and sisters around the world who live on less than $2 a day. Their plight is real and could go on indefinitely but ours will end on Friday.

For this week, we will make changes in our daily lives in an effort to stand in solidarity with those who hunger and thirst.

For the list of suggested food items, CLICK HERE.

Our hope is that we will not be the same by the end of this week!

Scripture

I lift up my eyes to the hills— where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, Maker of Heaven and Earth. (Psalm 121:1–2)

Reflection

Take a moment to think about the challenges you’re facing in your life that only God can help you through.

Pray

Pray for those who are struggling to meet the basic needs of their families and thank God for the blessings He has given you. Ask God to help you be a blessing to others today.